Warhammer 40,000; Battlefleet Gothic

[KujiInRetsu]

Though I don't really bother to play the tabletop game, I've been an avid reader of the books, exploring the gritty, dark gothic world of the Imperium of Man and the myriad races nipping at its borders while it crushes the taint of Chaos underfoot. However, Battlefleet Gothic looks to be an interesting divergent of 40K. Perhaps I'll look into that. All I know is that Gothic played a huge role in the Eye of Terror campaign, and that there were huge naval battles during that time period.

[Enk]

Yeah, BFleet Gothic is definitely an interesting setting. It reveals interesting insights into the technological achievements of the imperium of Man.

Anyway, I have played several GW tabletop games (WH40k, WHFB, Necromunda and finally, BFleet Gothic) and my personal favourite is indeed BFleet Gothic. The game mechanics are good and require thinking a lot since ships move like, well, ships, so you need to think ahead a lot. Another huge plus with BFleet Gothic is the expenses compared to the main games (WH40k and FB) which means you can get playing without putting too much money on it.

So if you have people to play with, you might want to try it out. Want to know something more? Just ask and I'll try to answer.

[KujiInRetsu]

Personally, I'm not sure which fleet would be best to start with. The Imperium/Space Marines has probably the largest fleet with some of the most intimidating ships, but in terms of power, I don't know where they stand in relation to other races, such as the Eldar, which have Pulsar Lances, and the Tau, with their apparently superb fleet fire-slaving abilities. The other fleets... eh... I'm leaning away from those.

[Enk]

Well, the high-tech races are a bit problematic since they kinda screw up the main idea of the game. I don't know about the Tau since I haven't been following anything lately (I haven't had anyone to play with so interest has dropped) but at least the Eldar and Necron ships can turn too much, change direction too easily etc. On the other hand, they're weaker.
Anyway, the feel I like about this game is the feel of naval battles and that's what you'll get when playing Imperium / Chaos. I think it's good to start out with them so you'll better understand the advantages the high-tech races get. These are also the two cheapest fleets since you can get all cruisers as plastic models...

Well, these are my opinions. I have mostly played Imperium vs Chaos battles and tried the Eldar a few times. Basically, if the high-tech races player knows how to use their advantages against the low-tech fleets' weaknesses, they have a good chance of winning. Then again, a good Imperial fleet commander knows how to work around these advantages and so on...

[KujiInRetsu]

I just got a look at some of the Codex Titanicus material, some scary mecha in that book, speaking in reference to the Emperor-class Imperator Titans at least. Comparable to SDF Macross in design (in that it functions as a mobile fortress), but according to schematics, only as large as a BattleMech from the BattleTech universe (approx. 40 meters tall).

[KiwiKitty]

I just got a look at some of the Codex Titanicus material, some scary mecha in that book, speaking in reference to the Emperor-class Imperator Titans at least. Comparable to SDF Macross in design (in that it functions as a mobile fortress), but according to schematics, only as large as a BattleMech from the BattleTech universe (approx. 40 meters tall).

Really? If I've got the memory right, the Imperators were huge mobile fortresses... or am I confusing them with an Emperor? Either way, the one I'm thinking of had huge towers and battlements, etc...

As to BFG, never played it but do have the rulebook, and the playtest rules in WD 225. It looks good on paper... and yeah, certain races might have an advantage, but they are supposed to be high technology races (Eldar and Necrons particularly, and while the Necrons are allied with gods, the Eldar created gods... just not ones we'd rather worship). It's a game I'd like to play one day, though... and the re-release of Epic, under whatever title it's going under now (last I heard was Epic Armageddon or something), also has my interest.

[PopCulturePooka]

Is BFG starship level battles?

I miss Warhammer 40,000 Epic.

Heavy vehicles and Titans.

That was the coolest.

[Enk]

Yeah. BFG is starfleet level. And the ships are BIG.

I haven't ever been able to play Epic (40,000). Would have wanted to, but never really got the money to start it. Well, if it has been put out of print I guess I missed it completely. Damn. I would've one day wanted to play a whole fictionary "campaign" (4X-game style) with BFleet Gothic for space battles, Epic 40k for surface and WH40k/SpaceHulk for infiltration/invasion.

[KujiInRetsu]

Really? If I've got the memory right, the Imperators were huge mobile fortresses... or am I confusing them with an Emperor? Either way, the one I'm thinking of had huge towers and battlements, etc...That's it. Emperors are the class of Titan, though it seems to be split into two variants, the Imperator variant (flexible mass destruction) and the Warmonger variant (long-range bombardment).

One of my friends has been playing 40,000 for some time, and has recently begun collecting Battlefleet Gothic. Currently, I believe he has a Space Marine strike cruiser (not sure which class) and an Overlord-class Battlecruiser, I'll have to look at them again to be sure, because to memory, Imperial ships look pretty similar. If there's anything I'm going to begin collecting, it'll be Epic or Battlefleet Gothic, because some of the models in regular 40,000 are absurdly priced. Seriously, 150 pounds British for an Eldar Revenant Titan.